Drywall ripsaw

ABSTRACT

This invention consists of three new features which on their own or in combination, improve the usefulness of the existing drywall jab saw. The three new features are the addition of fine teeth to the top of the blade, a blade with equally spaced holes along its length which are used as a rip guide, and a notch at the end of the handle to help remove narrow rips of drywall.

CROSS REFERENCE

[0001] Not applicable

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] Not applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

[0003] Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This invention is a hand tool used by the installer of gypsum wallboard (wallboard will be referred to as drywall through out this application.)

[0005] My invention adds more functions to the existing common drywall jabsaw. These function do not affect the only function of the existing saw-rough cutting drywall, but will aid in other tasks encountered during the drywall installation process. The addition of these features make this drywall jabsaw a multi-function tool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] This invention consists of three added features to the single purpose drywall saw. These features will perform the following functions.

[0007] Provide a guide used when scoring the face of the drywall.

[0008] An aid for breaking off narrow strips after the face has been scored.

[0009] A way to smooth out the rough edge of cut or snapped drywall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0010]FIG. 1 Handle-side view (sheets 3, 4 and 5)

[0011]FIG. 2 Handle-top view (sheets 3, 4 and 5)

[0012]FIG. 3 Handle-bottom view (sheets 3, 4 and 5)

[0013]FIG. 4 Handle-end view (sheets 3, 4 and 5)

[0014]FIG. 5 Handle-end view (sheets 3, 4 and 5)

[0015]FIG. 6 Blade-side view (sheets 2 and 5)

[0016]FIG. 7 Blade-side view (sheet 4)

[0017]FIG. 8 Handle-side view (sheet 2)

[0018]FIG. 9 Handle-top view (sheet 2)

[0019]FIG. 10 Handle-end view (sheet 2)

[0020]FIG. 11 No FIG. 11

[0021]FIG. 12 Handle-end view (sheet 2)

[0022]FIG. 13 Blade-side view (sheet 3)

[0023]FIG. 14 Handle/Blade-top view (sheet 1)

[0024]FIG. 15 Handle/Blade-side view with cross section (sheet 1)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] My invention as described below is the addition of three useful features to the common, single purpose, drywall jab saw.

[0026] The saw handle will be best made of a material suitable to withstand the forces exerted on it while being used for its intended purpose. The handle will either be a molded one piece handle or a handle made in two separate halves the would be held together with screws. A 2 piece handle would be able to come apart and an optional handle would be available that would fit thicker drywall.

[0027] The saw blade will be made of a hardened steel approx. 1/8″ thick.

[0028] The handle and saw blade will be securely held together.

[0029] The improvements and the best mode of using them are as follows:

[0030] First a description of the area of drywall installation that this invention pertains to, this will help in understanding the purpose of this invention.

[0031] When cutting drywall to a required width to fit the space, it is necessary to score one side of the sheet with a utility knife. Pressure exerted behind the scored surface will cause the sheet to break leaving you with what will be referred to as a rip (a long narrow strip of drywall cut lengthwise.) The professional drywall installer most often accomplishes this by using a standard measuring tape and utility knife. The tape is held in one hand with the tapes blade extended to the desired width, while the other hand holds a utility knife with the hook end of the tape pinched against the blade of the knife. With the tape at a right angle to the sheets edge, it is drawn along the sheet to score the paper surface. This method, though fast and relatively accurate, is more difficult and less accurate when a very narrow rip is required (within 4″).

[0032] The improvements to the existing drywall saw as outlined in my invention will increase the speed and accuracy of making and removing these narrow rips.

[0033] Improvements to the handle and blade.

[0034]FIGS. 14 and 15 of sheet 1 contain all 3 improvements that distinguish this drywall saw from others.

[0035] My suggestion for the front page of the patent application would be views 14 and 15 on page 1.

[0036]FIG. 14 shows a top view of the entire drywall ripsaw with a cutting plane line through the length of the handle.

[0037]FIG. 15 is a side view with a cross section of the handle. The details of the handle and blade will be explained in other Figs.

[0038]FIG. 6 of sheet 5 shows 2 new improvements to the existing blade: a rip guide and teeth at the top of the blade, the teeth will be explained later.

[0039] The rip guide consists of teardrop shaped holes spaced 1/8″ apart at the tip of the teardrop. The numbers shown on the blade are full inch marks. There will be seven holes between each full inch mark. Fraction marks would not be needed since each hole represents 1/8″. The inch marks are upside down in the drawing but will be right side up when used as described.

[0040] Holding the handle in one hand, the blade end of the handle will be placed against the edge of the drywall with the blade flat against the face of the sheet. The tip of a utility knife (held in the other hand) will be placed in the pointed area of the teardrop shaped hole with enough pressure to puncture the paper surface. With the ripsaw at a right angle to the edge, it and the knife are pulled along the sheet to make an accurate score mark anywhere from 1/4″ to 4-3/4 inches.

[0041]FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 of sheet 5 show a notch at the end of the handle-this is part of the invention. The handle shape as shown in all of the drawings though unique, and has dimensions important to its intended purpose, is only for visual purposes and is not intended to be part of the invention.

[0042] This notch is used in breaking off very narrow rips of drywall after the sheet has been scored as described in FIG. 6. By placing the notch over the edge of the sheet and applying pressure with the handle and the other hand, the drywall will break with less pressure. The handle provides leverage that reduces stress on the users hands. FIG. 3 on sheet 5 shows measurements of the notch that are important to perform this function. The notch tapers from 11/16″ to 1/2″ which is meant to be used on 1/2″ or 5/8″ drywall. The best leverage is achieved with a snug fit, this is accomplished by varying the position of the handle as needed. The notch depth shown is 7/8″.

[0043] A handle with a notch measuring 11/16′ to 1-1/16″ could be made for 3/4″ to 1″ drywall.

[0044]FIGS. 3 and 5 on sheet 5 show handle measurements important to the ripping function (as described in FIG. 6). The blade end of the handle should not be wider than 3/4′ when viewed from the top. The blade-to-handle edge should not exceed 3/8″ (5/16″ is shown in FIG. 5 sheet 5). {drywall. sheets are often cut to size directly from a stack of sheets leaning against a wall, framing etc., the edges do not align in this position.} With a max. of 3/8′, the handle would not interfere with the sheet behind when slid along its edge.

[0045]FIG. 6 of sheet 5 shows teeth at the top of the saw blade, this is an improvement to the existing blade which only has teeth on one side of the blade. The top teeth are less aggressive. This would allow them to make finer cuts, but more importantly, this portion of the saw could be used as a “file” to quickly touch up rough cuts or breaks.. The tool would be held in a position that would allow the teeth to rake across the edge as opposed to cutting into it. The fine teeth are more adapt to this function than the coarse teeth are.

[0046] The fast cutting coarse teeth would remain and be used as intended.

[0047] The following sheets show drawings with at least one of the three new improvements to the drywall jab saw.

[0048] Sheet 2 FIG. 8 is a side view of a handle that does not include the notch as described in FIGS. 2,3 and 4. FIG. 9 is a top or bottom view of the plain handle. FIG. 10 and 12 are end views of the plain handle. FIG. 6 on this sheet (2) is the same as described earlier and is part of the invention.

[0049] Sheet 3 FIGS. 1 thru 5 have been described, and are part of the invention. FIG. 13 is a plain blade shown for reference only. This sheet contains a drawing showing only the notched 6handle invention.

[0050] Sheet 4 FIGS. 1 thru 5 have been described . FIG. 7 is a side view of a blade showing the rip guide as described in FIG. 6 but without the fine teeth at the top.

[0051] What I claim as my invention are the following 3 features added to the existing common drywall jab saw. These features are new to this tool. They will be described separately and then in combination. 

1. FINE TEETH The addition of fine teeth to the top portion of the saw blade. These teeth ( FIGS. 6 and 15) are for fine cutting and to smooth out rough edges of drywall. The typical aggressive tooth pattern will remain at the bottom of the blade.
 2. GUIDE HOLES The addition of equally spaced holes along the length of the blade (FIGS. 6,7 and 15) for the purpose of guiding the tip of a utility knife blade when scoring drywall to make long narrow strips or to remove a narrow section from the full width. The guide holes will be spaced in such a way to allow dimension changes of 1/8″ from one hole to the next. The holes will allow a range of 1/4″ to approx. 4-3/4″ of material removal, this could vary with actual blade length.
 3. HANDLE NOTCH The addition of a notch at the end of the handle (FIGS. 2,3 and 4) to be used as an aid in breaking off very narrow rips of drywall. The notch size would be dependent on the size of material being used. FIG. 3 of page 5 shows a notch that tapers from 11/16″ to 1/2″, this would be for drywall of 1/2′ to 5/8″. A larger tapered notch could accommodate material up to 1″.
 4. FINE TEETH/GUIDE HOLES A saw containing the teeth described in claim 1 and the holes as described in claim 2:
 5. GUIDE HOLES/NOTCH A saw containing the holes as described in claim 2 and the notch as described in claim
 3. 6. GUIDE HOLES/NOTCH/FINE TEETH A jab saw compromising of guide holes, handle notch, and fine saw teeth as described in claims 1, 2 and
 3. 